Among Local Aldermen, O’Connor Leads Fundraising

40th Ward Ald. Patrick O’Connor has taken in more money from contributions of $1,000 or more than the four other area aldermen combined. Credit: City Club video

Every three months, political committees are required to file expense and contribution reports with the Illinois Board of Elections. However, when a committee receives a contribution of $1,000 or more, they must disclose it immediately.

Most aldermen rely on financial support from their own political committee in addition to their area ward committee, often serving as the chairperson of both.

However, since the most recent reporting period, the 40th Ward committee has folded, but O’Connor has still taken in more money than the other area aldermen who take in money from two committees.

O’Connor’s $25,145 taken in from his one committee is more than $10,000 more than the four other area aldermen have taken in from $1,000+ contributions combined. Through Dec. 28, each of the following committees have received the following totals from contributions of $1,000 or more:

$4,500 to Friends of Ameya Pawar

$2,000 to Citizens for Mell

$1,000 to the 33rd Ward Regular Democratic Organization

$2,500 to the 44th Ward Regular Democratic Organization

$5,000 to Citizens for Waguespack

There are no active ward committees for the 32nd and 40th wards.

Through the first three reporting periods of 2012, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) had the most cash on hand from all contributions–more than $275,000–between his two committees, Citizens for Tunney and the 44th Ward Regular Democratic Organization.